Chandigarh-Shimla highway reopened

Traffic on the Chandigarh-Shimla highway, which remained snapped for over 12 hours following massive landslides near here, has been restored partially, officials said on Sunday.

However, the threat of landslides still persists as a huge rock with crevices is hanging over the highway at the spot.

"The Chandigarh-Shimla highway that was closed between Tara Devi and Shogi towns due to landslides was restored partially on Saturday night. Work is still on clear the muck on the highway, which is still slippery," a police official told IANS.

He said stranded vehicles were allowed to proceed further.

Reports said more than 1,000 vehicles were stranded on both sides of the highway.

The traffic would be fully restored by Sunday evening, he added.

Traffic bound for Shimla was diverted on Saturday from Shogi, 20 km from here. The highway is a crucial link to remote Kinnaur and upper Shimla districts.

"A huge rock is still hovering perilously on the highway where the landslide occurred on Saturday. We are planning to explode the rock to prevent any further landslide," a public works department official said.